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Club Constitution

Version 2

REDCAR BOROUGH PARK BOWLING CLUB

(A registered Community Amateur Sports Club)

RULES AND CONSTITUTION

PRELIMINARY. 

The name of the club shall be “Redcar Borough Park Bowling Club” hereinafter called the Club. 

  1. The club room and headquarters of the Club shall be The Club House, Redcar Borough Park Bowling Club, 1 Thwaites Lane, Redcar. TS10 2FD. 

  2.  The objects of the Club shall be:

    1. To promote, foster and safeguard the level green game of amateur bowls and other sporting activities. 

    2. To adopt and enforce the laws of Bowls England and the E.I.B.A. Ltd.

    3. To organise the game within the club for the benefit of all its members.

    4. The maintenance of the club house for recreation, social and amenity purposes for members and their guests. 

 

  1. The Club shall be a member’s club and shall consist of members together with Honorary and Life Members as hereinafter mentioned. 

 

  1. MEMBERSHIP.  

    1. Membership of the Club shall be open to anyone interested in the sport of indoor or outdoor flat green bowls on application regardless of sex, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, religion or other beliefs. 

    2. Membership may however be limited according to available facilities on a non-discriminatory basis. The club may have different classes of membership and subscription on a non-discriminatory and fair basis. 

    3. Membership subscriptions will be kept at levels that will not pose a significant obstacle to people participating. 

    4. An application for membership shall be in the form prescribed by the Committee and shall include the name, address and contact details of the candidate. 

    5. The name and address of any candidate proposed for membership shall be for a period of at least 48 hours before being elected to membership, be posted in the Club in the manner prescribed in rule 30.

    6. Upon receipt of an application for membership, there shall be an interval of at least two days before the meeting of the Committee at which such application for membership shall be considered. The election of all classes of members is vested in the Committee and shall be a simple majority vote of those of the Committee. The Honorary Secretary shall inform each candidate in writing of the candidate's election or non-election. The Honorary Secretary shall furnish an elected candidate with a copy of the Rules and Byelaws of the Club and make request for such payments as are necessary. 

    7. The Club Committee may refuse membership or, subject to rule 29 of this constitution, remove it, only for good cause such as conduct likely to bring the Club or sport into disrepute. Appeal against refusal or removal may be made to the members. 

 

  1.  Honorary Members 

    1. who shall not be liable to pay any entrance fees or subscriptions but shall be entitled to all privileges of membership, may be elected by the Club in General Meeting, provided that such nominees for Honorary Membership have completed 15 years continuous membership of the Club so however that there shall be at any one time not more than ten Honorary Members. 

    2. Applications by new members shall not be restricted on the basis that the Club has lots of honorary members and cannot accept any new members. 

 

  1. No person shall be a member unless being a founder member or having been elected as provided in Rule 5, he/she shall have paid to the Treasurer his/her first annual subscription. 

 

  1.  No person, whether as Members, or Honorary or Life Members, shall be admitted to membership or be admitted as a candidate for membership to any of the privileges of membership without an interval of at least 48 hours between his/her nomination of application for membership and his admission. No person becoming a member without prior nomination or application may be admitted to the privileges of membership without an interval of at least 48 hours between his/her becoming a member and his/her admission. No person shall be entitled to play in any league or competition of the Club until admitted to membership. 

 

  1. On the occasion of any sporting event or game or other special occasion, members of visiting teams and persons accompanying them or persons invited by the Committee shall become temporary members and be entitled to the privileges of membership provided that: 

    1. No person admitted by virtue of this Rule shall be entitled to vote or take part in the management of the Club. 

    2. Nor shall they be entitled to introduce visitors, but otherwise be subject to the same rules and bylaws as other members of the Club. 

 

  1. COMMITTEE AND OFFICERS. 

The affairs of the Club, in all matters not in these rules reserved for the Club in General Meeting, shall be managed by the General Committee and the Management Committee of the Club. In particular the Committee shall ensure that the property and funds of the Club will not be used for the direct or indirect private benefit of Members other than as reasonably allowed by the Rules. No surpluses or assets will be distributed to members or third parties and all surplus income or profits will be re invested in the Club. Third Parties - Disclosure of Interest. A member of the Committee, of a sub- committee or any member of the club, in transacting business for the club shall disclose to third parties that they are so acting. 

The General Committee shall consist of not less than five and no more than fourteen members of the Club who shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting of the Club. Each member of the General Committee shall be elected for a period of 2 years. Up to 7 members shall retire from Office at the end of each Club year but shall be eligible for re-election. 

Committee Meetings - Conflict of Interest. Any conflict of interest must be declared to the Chairman prior to the start of the meeting. The chairman will determine if the person may remain in the meeting and/or vote when the item is discussed. All decisions require a minimum of 3 non-related, non- cohabiting members. 

The Management Committee, which is answerable to the General Committee, shall consist of the President, Secretary and Treasurer and two members appointed by the General Committee. The General Committee may appoint one or more sub-committees for such purposes as it may deem appropriate. Five shall constitute a quorum of the General Committee and three a quorum for the Management Committee or a sub-committee. Any casual vacancy of the General Committee may be filled by the Committee and any person so appointed shall hold office (or remain a member of the General Committee as the case may be) until the following Annual General Meeting. 

 

  1. There shall be a President (who acts as Chairman) a Secretary and a Treasurer who shall be elected by the Club, from time to time, in General Meeting from among the members of the Club who shall be ex-officio members of the General Committee and such other Officers as the Club may in General Meeting appoint. 

    1. The President, Secretary and Treasurer and every other such Officer shall act in all matters in accordance with the directions of the General Committee of the Club. Subject to any directions given to him/her by the General Committee the Secretary may, on behalf of the club, engage any domestic staff and other club servants as may be necessary for the efficient and economical running of the Club, and may lawfully terminate any such engagement. In the event of equality of votes on any resolution before the General Committee, the President shall have a second or casting vote. 

    2. At each Annual General Meeting the Treasurer shall submit an audited account of the Club’s income and expenditure for the previous year. 

    3. The members in Annual General Meeting may appoint a President and Vice President who shall hold Office until the next Annual General Meeting. 



 

  1. TRUSTEES.

There shall be four Trustees of the Club who shall be appointed from time to time by the Club in General Meeting from among the ordinary or honorary members who are willing to be so appointed. A Trustee shall hold office during his/her life or until he/she shall resign by notice given in writing to the General Committee or until a resolution removing him/her from office shall be passed at a General Meeting of the Club by a majority of two thirds of the members present and entitled to vote. 

  1. All property of the Club, including land and investments, shall be held by the Trustees for the time being, in their own names as far as necessary and practicable for the use and benefit of the Club. On the death, resignation or removal from office of a Trustee the General Committee shall take steps to procure the appointment by the Club in General Meeting of a new Trustee to take his/her place and shall as soon as possible thereafter take all possible steps to procure the vesting of all club property into the names of the said Trustees as constituted after the said appointment. The Trustees shall in all respects act, in regard to any property of the club held in him/her, in accordance with the directions of the General Committee and shall have the power to sell, lease, mortgage or pledge any Club property for the purpose of raising or borrowing money for the benefit of the Club in compliance with the Committee’s directions; but no purchaser, lessee or mortgager shall be concerned to enquire whether any such direction has been given. 

 

  1. SUBSCRIPTIONS, FINANCES AND ACCOUNTS. 

The annual subscription for a member and any additional fee for bowling in the indoor bowls hall or the use of club facilities shall be sums respectively as the General Committee may from time to time determine. At the discretion of the General Committee a member may be allowed to pay a reduced rate for any period less than a year. 

  1. Membership subscriptions - Annual subscriptions shall be payable on election as provided in rule 7 and thereafter without demand on the first day of September. The General Committee may terminate the membership of any member whose annual subscription remains unpaid on the last day of October. 

  2. The Treasurer shall keep such proper books of account as will enable him to present at every Annual General Meeting of the Club, or at any other time if required (at reasonable notice to him/her) by the General Committee, an accurate report and statement concerning the finances of the Club for the preceding year, or for the current year as the case may be, and shall present such report and statement accordingly. 

  3. The Club shall be a member’s Club and such is a non-profit making organisation and any surplus income or gains must be reinvested in the Club. 

 

  1. INTOXICATING LIQUOR. 

The supply of intoxicating liquor in the Club premises shall be permitted at the discretion of the General Committee during the following hours. 

Weekdays and Sundays: 11am to 11pm

Saturdays: 11am to 12midnight.

Christmas Day: 11am to 10.30pm

New Year’s Eve: 11am to 2am. 

No intoxicating liquor shall be supplied to members or any other persons on the Club premises other than by or on behalf of the Club.

  1. The General Committee shall arrange the supply of intoxicating liquor by the Club to members and to other persons on the Club premises and shall secure the due observance of the provisions of the Licensing Act, 2003 and all other acts relating thereto, and of any conditions attached to any license held by or on behalf of the Club for the supply of intoxicating liquor or to any club premises certificate granted in respect of the Club premises.


 

  1. No person shall be paid at the expense of the Club any commission, percentage or similar payment on or with reference to purchases of intoxicating liquor by the Club nor shall any person, directly or indirectly, derive any pecuniary benefit from the supply of intoxicating liquor by or on behalf of the Club to members or guests, apart from any benefit accruing to the Club as a whole. 

 

GENERAL MEETINGS

  1. An Annual General Meeting of the Club shall be held between the first day of January and the last day of March for the purpose of receiving the report of the General Committee and the accounts, election of Officers and such other business as the General Committee may decide. Notice of the day and time of the Annual General Meeting shall be posted in the Club in the manner prescribed in Rule 30 for at least fourteen days before such day. 

  2. A General Meeting of the Club may be summoned at any time by the General Committee and shall be summoned immediately upon any thirty ordinary members delivering to the General Committee a written request in that behalf specifying the business to be put before the meeting. A General Meeting shall be summoned by causing a notice thereof to be posted in the Club premises in the manner prescribed in Rule 30 for a period of at least fourteen days immediately before the day appointed for the meeting but this period may be abridged at the discretion of the General Committee if the urgency of the business to be discussed in their opinion so requires. 

  3. At any Annual General Meeting of the Club every member of the Club shall be entitled to be present, and every life and ordinary member shall be entitled to one vote upon every question raised. In the case of inequality of voting the Chairman of the General Committee or (if he is not present within ten minutes of the time notified of the meeting) the Chairman of the meeting (who shall be a member elected for the occasion by the meeting before any other business is opened) shall have a second or casting vote. Any member wishing to propose a resolution topic at any General Meeting, which is not on the agenda, shall give written notice to the Secretary by 28th February annually. 

 

  1. VISITORS. 

Members may introduce and entertain guests at the Club and there shall be kept at the Club premises a Visitors Book which both the member and his/her guest shall sign. Any guest may not be introduced on more than 5 occasions in any 12 monthly period. The member introducing a maximum of 3 guests shall be responsible for his/her guests strictly observing these rules and the Club by laws and shall not leave the Club Premises before his/her guests. No person whose membership of the Club has been terminated under Rules 15 and 29 or is for the time being suspended under Rule 28 or whose application for membership has been at any time rejected shall be introduced as a guest. Non - members may be allowed to bowl in the indoor bowls hall at the discretion of the General Committee. 

 

  1. CHILD PROTECTION POLICY. 

The club is responsible for administering a policy under the Child Protection legislation which recognises and acknowledges its responsibilities to safeguard the welfare of young persons and other vulnerable people taking part in its activities. The full Child Protection Policy of the Club is clearly displayed on the Club premises. 

 

  1. DRUG ABUSE AND ANTI DOPING POLICY 

Any member participating in a bowls event organized by, or under the auspices of the governing bodies of the sport, will if required submit to a drugs test. If anyone is found to have taken a prohibited substance, they may be suspended from taking part in all forms of bowls for a period, subject to disciplinary procedures.

 

  1.  BY LAWS 

The General Committee may from time to time make, vary and revoke by laws (not inconsistent with these rules) for the regulation of the internal affairs of the Club and the conduct of members, and the by-laws for the time being in force shall be binding on all members. 

 

  1. CONDUCT OF MEMBERS. 

    1. When joining the Club every member must complete an application form. The application form includes the commitment to conduct themselves in accordance with any conduct rules, policies and disciplinary procedures of the Club.

    2. The Club adopts Bowls England Player Code of Conduct https://www.bowlsengland.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/BE_player_code_of_conduct_FINAL.pdf  This policy is also published on the Club’s website and a paper copy is available in the office. 

    3. No betting shall be permitted in the Club. No lottery shall be promoted by any member or officer on behalf of or in any way connected with the Club or with any entertainment or event held in connection with the Club without previous written authority of the General Committee. Gaming shall be permitted in the Club so, however, as not to contravene any of the provisions of the Statue for the time being in force.

 

  1. DISCIPLINE and GRIEVANCE  

The Club will adopt and adhere to the Bowls England Discipline Regulations 9 and 9A:

Which can be found at https://www.bowlsengland.com/disciplinary    

 

  1. SAFEGUARDING

The Club shall adhere to the Safeguarding Policy of Bowls England: which can be found at  https://www.bowlsengland.com/safeguarding-policies and will ensure that all the contents are

communicated to members by the Safeguarding Officer. Details of the Safeguarding Officer can be

found on the Notice Board.

 

  1. NOTICES. 

Each member shall keep the Secretary informed at the Secretary’s office on the Club premises of that members ‘private address, or of some other address at which communications may be addressed to him/her. Nevertheless, it shall not be necessary to send any notice intended for members generally to any member, by post or otherwise, except in the case of the notice convening any General Meeting for any of the purposes in Rule 25. All notices shall be posted by being affixed to a prominent position on the Club premises in a part of the club that is frequented by members and it shall be the duty of the Secretary to ensure that any such notice remains so exhibited throughout any period required in that behalf by or under these Rules. 

 

  1. ALTERATION OF RULES.

    1. These Rules may be revoked, added to or altered by a majority comprising two thirds or more of the members present and entitled to vote at any General Meeting of the Club of which notice has been duly given under Rule 14 specifying the intention to propose the revocation, addition or alteration together with full particulars thereof. 

    2. In the event of any such alteration, addition, amendment or revocation the Secretary shall within seven days thereof give notice to the Licensing Authority and the Chief Constable of Cleveland of such alteration, addition, amendment or revocation of the said Rule. 

 

  1. EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY. 

Neither the Club nor any Officer thereof shall be liable to any member or guest of any member for any loss or damage to any property occurring from whatever cause, in or about the Club premises, and a notice to this effect shall be at all times displayed in a prominent position on the Club premises 

 

  1. DISSOLUTION. 

If the numbers of members of the Club shall at any time fall below 25 or if at any time the Club shall pass in General Meeting by a majority of two-thirds or more of the members present and entitled to vote a resolution (in the Rule called “the First Resolution”) of its intention to dissolve, the General Committee, or failing them the Trustees shall take immediate steps to convert into money all property of the Club, with power however to postpone or delay conversion of any particular property if the Club in General Meeting so authorize. Out of the proceeds of such conversion the Trustees shall discharge all debts and liabilities of the Club, including the expenses of such conversions, and any balance remaining in their hands shall be passed on to another Community Amateur Sports Club, a registered Charity or the sports’ Governing Body and thereupon the Club shall for all purposes be dissolved. A copy of the Notice of a General Meeting under this Rule shall be sent by the Secretary by post to every member at his/her address last notified to the Secretary, under Rule 31, not less than fourteen days before the date appointed for the Meeting; but accidental omission to send such a copy or the non-receipt of the same shall not invalidate any proceedings or resolution. 

 

Reviews

25/03/2018 A proposal to amend Rule 10 with the following additions was carried. Third Parties - Disclosure of Interest. A member of the Committee, of a sub- committee or any member of the club, in transacting business for the club shall disclose to third parties that they are so acting. Committee Meetings - Conflict of Interest. Any conflict of interest must be declared to the Chairman prior to the start of the meeting. The chairman will determine if the person may remain in the meeting and/or vote when the item is discussed. All decisions require a minimum of 3 non-related, non- cohabiting members. 

28/03/2021 A proposal to amend rule 15 was carried as below. Membership subscriptions - Annual subscriptions shall be payable on election as provided in rule 7 and thereafter without demand by the last day of February every year on the first day of September. The General Committee may terminate the membership of any member whose annual subscription remains unpaid on the last day of February October.

 

23/03/2025 A proposal to update and amend the Rules and Constitution with the following changes was carried. 

Amendment to Rule 23

Any member wishing to propose a resolution or the discussion of any topic at any General Meeting, which is not on the agenda, therefore, shall give written notice to the Secretary by 28 February 31st October annually. 

Amendment to rule 24

Delete:

No guest shall be permitted to purchase intoxicating liquor in the club house.

Additions:

The following rules were added to the Constitution

28)    CONDUCT OF MEMBERS.  

a)  When joining the club every member must complete an application form. The application form includes the commitment to conduct themselves in accordance with any conduct rules, policies and disciplinary procedures of the club.

 b) The club adopts Bowls England Player Code of Conduct https://www.bowlsengland.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/BE_player_code_of_conduct_FINAL.pdf This policy is also published on the Club’s website and a paper copy is available in the office.

 

30)    Safeguarding

Redcar Borough Park Bowling Club shall adhere to the Safeguarding Policy of Bowls England: which can be found at https://www.bowlsengland.com/safeguarding-policies and will ensure that all the contents are

communicated to members by the Safeguarding Officer. Details of the Safeguarding Officer can be

found on the Notice Board.

 

Replacements

Rule 29. Disciplinary Issues will be dealt with in accordance with Bowls England Regulation 9.

REPLACED WITH:

 29) DISCIPLINE and GRIEVANCE  

Redcar Borough Park Bowling Club will adopt and adhere to the Bowls England Discipline Regulations 9 and 9A:

Which can be found at https://www.bowlsengland.com/disciplinary